Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!
Chapter 719 - 384 Guramo in Action

Chapter 719: Chapter 384 Guramo in Action

The night was deep, and 120 miles south of Aotuo, the Jingji Legion had made their encampment.

Guramo, leader of the Zicao Clan, dressed in black, climbed the nearest hill with a dozen trusted aides. His expression was solemn as he watched the distant camp, where flickers of bonfires shimmered. Patrolling samurais surrounded the camp, so the group dared not get too close and could only skirt around it from the hills.

Guramo looked over the camp housing thousands, a force the southern nobility could hardly resist. Then, he turned back to look north, where darkness enveloped the mountains, and a more formidable evil approached, carrying the roar of a volcanic demon.

"Rustle~~"

Guramo took a deep breath, his body trembling with excitement, just like a gambler throwing dice.

By this time, Medina’s assassination should have yielded results. Her nails were coated with jungle frog poison—just scratching the King’s skin and slightly contaminating his blood should be sufficient to take away the exceptionally powerful King.

"The deadly lancehead viper needs only one bite to take the life of a formidable Jaguar... Even the weak, when seizing the strong’s vulnerability, can turn the tables and win... May the Goddess Halatana bless me, I will offer her human sacrifices!"

Guramo lowered his head and prayed for a moment, seeking a blessing from the moon.

Ever since seeing the order to redistribute fiefs, he had harbored thoughts of murder. And when Medina informed him that the King refused to compromise, he resolved himself to assassinate! No matter how severe the consequences of a failed assassination might be, it was worth the risk.

Because he saw clearly that the nascent kingdom, which was barely emerging, entirely depended on the King. The Mexica legion, the Prepetcha Spear legion, the Tarasco Surrendered Army, the Barbarian legion... all these diverse forces were united solely by the prestige and charisma of the King. Once the King was dead, the kingdom would disintegrate in an instant, and even if the Mexica sent another Prince, it would do no good. The balance of power would be difficult to restore, and inescapable conflict would ensue. By then, the Prepetcha generals he had contacted would make the choices he desired.

Thinking of this, Guramo felt his chest where several key secret letters were hidden. Two of these corresponded to the Jingji Legion before him.

"Clan leader."

A trusted aide came forward and reported in a low voice.

"Shall we rest here?"

After traveling 120 miles in a day, everyone was extremely tired. Guramo glanced at his trusted aide, then at the others, and nodded slightly.

"Rest for an hour, then continue on our way. We are still 100 miles from Kulamo City, and we must return to our fief by noon tomorrow!"

Regardless of whether the assassination was successful, Guramo had to face the wrath of the Imperial Guard Legion. And the only possibility to withstand the terrifying copper beast of the Imperial Guards would be Kulamo City, fortified with stone walls.

The group found a hollow in the mountains and cautiously rested for an hour. When it was time to leave, they encountered a problem. In the group, two dancers and musicians, after resting, suffered leg pains and could no longer walk.

Guramo looked at them indifferently; they were his favorite dancer and musician, specially prepared for Medina’s dance, though they hadn’t been used.

"Kill them."

"Family Head?"

"Kill them. Cut off their heads and throw them down the mountain."

"Yes."

The trusted aides pulled out Long Daggers, and soon there were two screams. Then, the bodies were decapitated, making them hard to recognize.

"Continue marching!"

Soon, the group continued along the mountain path, moving through the night. After forty miles, the Crow Family’s manor was already in sight. It was the fief of the old Crow Xiteli and the last noble territory on the way to Kulamo City. The Crow Family had several hundred private samurai warriors and thousands of Militia, making it the only force capable of buying time for the Zicao Family at this moment.

As dawn approached, Guramo ordered the group to halt. He pondered for a moment, then called two Death Warriors.

"Sagebrush."

"Family Head."

"Stay near the manor. After we pass, go to the Crow Manor. The old Crow surely has not returned yet. Tell his eldest son, young Crow, that the northern King has been assassinated by us! The southern nobles and the Prepetcha generals from the Royal Army have agreed to join forces and restore the Tarasco Kingdom!"

"As you command, Family Head."

Sagebrush knelt and bowed.

Guramo thought for a moment, then pulled a secret letter from his breast. This letter was corespondence with Ezpan, the commander of the second Spear Legion; it was the least important and contained minimal content.

"Take this. If young Crow does not believe it, just wave this letter in front of him. He probably cannot fully recognize Mexica script, just the seal."

"As you command, Family Head."

Guramo nodded and then turned to another Death Warrior.

"Rosemary."

"Family Head."

"You go to the northern mountain road. If the Jingji Legion of the Kingdom comes there, you shall report them. Claim that the Crow Family intends to rebel!"

"As you command, Family Head."

As Guramo spoke, he reached for two other critical secret letters, hesitated for a moment, and then withdrew his hand. The time was not yet ripe. He still hoped for the assassination of Medina. He couldn’t risk exposing the generals who could truly respond after the King’s death.

"Keep moving!"

After leaving the two men behind, Guramo once again embarked on the journey back home. His physical fitness was excellent, and his movements were quick, even surpassing those of the veteran Samurai by his side.

The morning sun showered over the southern fields, and the mist over Atoyac Lake dispersed in the wind. As the sun climbed into the mid-sky, they finally arrived at Kulamo City.

Guramo couldn’t rest yet. He issued another command.

"Thyme, Bay Laurel."

"Family Head."

"Go to Kulamo City and contact the Militia that has been prepared in advance."

"As you command, Family Head."

In Kulamo City, there were one thousand Mexica Samurai and nearly two thousand Militia. Although these Militia were disbanded by the Mexica, they were actually still controlled by the Zicao Family. The Zicao Family had been managing their fief in Kulamo for over two hundred years, with their influence deeply entrenched in all aspects. Their potential influence was enormous, yet once they left their southern lands, all would be lost.

Guramo looked around once more, eyeing the few remaining Death Warriors. After a moment of thought, he selected an assassin who looked particularly timid.

"Eucalyptus."

"Family Head."

"Take these three secret letters."

Guramo fished in his robe and handed over three relatively unimportant letters to Eucalyptus, keeping the two critical ones.

"Go to the Mexica leader in Kulamo City, Etalik, and report that a Surrendered General, Prepetcha, is preparing to rebel. Get as close to him as possible!"

"As you command, Family Head."

"Do you still have Frog Poison?"

"Yes."

"Remember, do not use a Dagger; it’s too easily spotted. Use your fingernails!"

"As you command, Family Head."

Guramo nodded. He gave a faint glance at the Death Warriors. These men were the essence he had cultivated for over a decade. In this era of unending wars, the Zicao family’s foothold in the south depended not on being skilled in arts or dance but on assassins and poison!

However, in the face of the overwhelming odds, in front of thousands of Samurai, the power of assassins seemed so frail.

Guramo sighed for the first time. He turned to the remaining people.

"Let’s go! Return to the manor and rally the family’s Samurai. The survival of the Zicao Family hinges on this single effort!"

The group set out on their final path. Guramo pursed his lips and silently gazed toward the East. If raising troops failed, he still had one last resort...

The sun rose high into the sky, the bright sunlight glinting on Atoyac Lake. And beneath the sunlight, the shadow of the broken wood of the Zicao was unmistakably visible.